German Christmas Cookies: Lebkuchen

Combine all spices for the spice mix.

In a saucepan, combine honey, sugar and butter and cook on medium heat until the sugar has completely dissolved, stirring constantly. Let cool to room temperature. Add egg, lemon zest and 1 1/2 tablespoons of Lebkuchen spice mix. Dissolve potash and hartshorn in water. Add it to the honey mixture together with flour. Knead into a firm dough.

Wrap the dough in plastic foil and let it rest for at least 1 hour 30 minutes in the fridge. Knead the dough again. Roll thick on floured surface (4-5 mm or 1 1/2 to 2 inches).

Preheat oven to 180°C or 355ºF. Cut the dough with cookie cutters of your choice. Place on a baking tray covered with baking paper. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden. Increase the baking time if you like harder cookies. Immediately remove from the baking tray. Let cool and decorate with glaze or leave plain. Enjoy!